Rolling Thunder 3

Rolling Thunder 3 Screenshots

This game doesn't need any presentation. The arcade version of Rolling Thunder 3 was quite popular and was even distributed outside Japan thanks to Atari. You take control of Albatross, a spion whose mission is to save a missing female agent, part of a secret society from New York. There are two different stories in the game, each one having five stages. Though the player starts with a default gun, more advanced weapons and ammo can be found throughout the game. The character just has to enter the doors marked with "bullets" or "arms".

Duck, seek cover behind crates, or jump away from enemy gunfire as you progress through the stages. While you only have forty bullets, ammo can be replenished by entering specially marked doors, and you always have a knife for close-range slashing. Players can also find an additional weapon to use, typically found behind doors marked "special", which replaces your knife until you run out of ammo.

Overview

The third installment in the Rolling Thunder series from Namco for the Genesis has arrived! Take out the terrorist organization Geldra while playing a fresh new version of a tried-and-true scenario. Rolling Thunder 3 gives you the same free-wheeling, run-and-gun action, with the added abilities to make diagonal shots and to shoot while jumping. A password save feature lets you keep track of your progress so that you can continue this one-player title another day. Feeling like a hero? Blast your way through southern California and take on Dread.

You'll be fighting this battle as Jay, the only remaining agent for the neutralization of Geldra's sec-ond-in-command, Dread. His last known location was at a refinery in southern California. Your purpose is to take out Dread, while your co-agents Leila and Albatross take on Geldra's head honcho, Gimdo. This two-front pincer movement should permanently disable the terrorist organization.

Like the previous Rolling Thunders, you've got to be fast with your lead. Each round has plenty of doors to enter where you can collect weapons, ammo and life energy Rolling Thunder 3 has added some important play features over its predecessors: You can choose your special weapon from a menu before each round, you can make diagonal shots, and you can also jump and shoot at the same time. As added bonuses, you'll find three hidden levels that warp you forward and a password to play as a female character. The best strategy for clearing through all 10 fast and furious levels is to save your important long-range Special Weapons for the last couple of levels. Get to Level 10 and meet the last boss with either a full load of Laser or Assault Rifle ammo and you'll have Dread locked!

Hitting the Jump Button and Up on the D-Button simultaneously will have Jay jump up and swing over the rail above his head. Reverse the procedure to get back down.

Try shooting some boxes on level 2 to get to this hidden stage. From here you'll warp to level 4.

The various doors that Jay can enter by pushing Up on the D-Button will not only oiler bonus items, but also breathing space away trom Geldra's minions. Holding the button up will keep you inside the door area until released.

The hidden level found in leve! 8 jumps you to level 10.

In the two vehicle levels the best tactic is to get behind your enemies and shoot.

Enter the Bullets doors even if you are not low on ammo. There appears to be no limit to the number of bullets you can stock.

Once you've used a weapon from the menu, it's not available in later rounds. Save the long-range weapons for the last levels.

If you are low on ammo when attacked by the Geldra Robot-dogs, crouch. They will jump over you and you can time your shots carefully.

The intermission screens will give you time to rest your tired hands... and also may give you hints about the level to come.